2008 Audi TT 2.0T

Second Place: Four of a Kind

What's the front-driver doing up in second place? Heresy, you say, and it doesn't even have a clutch pedal. We're as surprised as you, dear reader, but the TT moves. It has the least horsepower of the group, but the 2.0-liter turbo four earned praise for its quick responses. The engine doesn't have much weight to move around, either, as the TT is the lightest car of the group.

On the highway, the TT gains speed with a transparent smoothness, due in part to the hushed cabin. The power seats, covered in Alcantara, give plenty of lateral grip and long-term comfort. The overall impression of the TT interior is so pleasing that the insides of the rest of the group feel rental quality in comparison.

There is one carry-over from the old car, at least in philosophy. It shares its architecture with the Volkswagen Rabbit, including the engine and the dual-clutch transmission, the latter of which will shift at redline even in manumatic mode. Audi claims 69 percent of the TT chassis is made of aluminum, but the car is only 195 pounds slimmer than the last GTI we tested.

Most significant, the TT is still front-wheel drive. The only way to get all-wheel drive for now is to upgrade to the 3.2-liter V-6. Even with the aluminum weight saving focused at the front of the car, 60.8 percent of the Audi's heft hangs over the front wheels, a setup that results in understeer when entering a corner and the front wheels fighting for grip on the exit.

Powering the wrong wheels didn't stop the Audi from posting the second-best time around the track, though, and it came away with the shortest braking distance, too. It also earned top marks in fuel economy, both from the EPA and our aggressive drivers.

On rough roads, the TT exhibits a worrying amount of creaks and rattles, and it isn't quite as composed as the Mazda or Nissan. And it's expensive: Our test car was optioned with upgraded wheels and tires and the Premium package, which includes power heated seats and a leather steering wheel. Add in magnetic ride-control shocks or navigation, and the TT's price creeps over 40 large. That's a lot of money when an A3 or GTI will perform at almost the same level for less money and with more interior space. But the A3 and the GTI don't have the eye-catching exterior of the TT. The TT's premium is its style. Fortunately, it moves as well as it looks.